PHARMACISTS in Victoria are being warned they will be open to prosecution as well as disciplinary action if they make generic substitutions without authorisation.
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services issued the reminder in response to a practice alert from pharmacist indemnity insurer, Pharmaceutical Defence Limited (PDL) on the issue (PD 07 Feb).
"In Victoria, pharmacists who make generic substitutions where it has not been authorised, will have contravened the Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2017 (regulation 50 or 51), unless exceptional circumstances exist, and will be liable to prosecution in addition to other disciplinary action.
PDL noted that there were often "good reasons why substitution of brand should not take place", noting it can cause confusion for some patients.
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